COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 16, 2012

QUESTION NO.19

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager if he will make a report on the number of villages and other locations, if any, including traditional villages, in which the Council in December 2011/January 2012 supported/partially supported by way of financial grant or otherwise the installation and operation of Christmas Lights, and the expenditure, by the Council on such supports?

REPLY:

In 2011 South Dublin County Council funded the provision of 3 civic Christmas trees at the following locations; County Hall, Tallaght, Civic Offices Clondalkin and County Library Tallaght; these trees are purchased through a quotation process each year at a total cost of €2,600 plus vat. In addition the equipment for the installation and removal of the trees cost €912 plus vat and €680 plus vat for ChristmasTree Lighting and associated costs.

Due to ongoing budgetary constraints the Council has scaled back on the number of trees purchased and has invested in energy-efficient Christmas tree lights to reduce costs. We have also developed a more sustainable civic Christmas tree program by planting Christmas trees species at a number of locations including Lucan and Rathcoole Villages thereby reducing the need to purchase new trees on a yearly basis. 

The Council’s events team in partnership with local artists and community groups co-ordinate the ‘switching on’ of the Christmas tree lights by the Mayor of South Dublin County each year in our civic spaces in Clondalkin and Tallaght.  These events are extremely well attended and have proved increasingly popular over the years as both spectators and participants enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment for all. The civic Christmas tree lights and festivities add to the aesthetic appearance of our villages and town centres attracting shoppers and visitors. It is important in the current financial climate to support the local business community and provide an attractive atmosphere for citizens during the festive season.